PTSD Sissies and the Most Decorated World War Two Veteran: Audie Murphy

To see if I was on the right track, I Googled PTSD SISSIES on my computer and there it was, including several miserable articles stating in effect that PTSD just like the holocaust did not/does not occur.

(MOLALLA, Ore.) - I have had many email responses to my articles on PTSD and disgusting medical mis-management by the Army and the VA. Some emails say PTSD Vets are just whiners and wimps, it’s only in their heads and trash like that.

Well to start with the PTSD demons ARE in our heads and they are stuck there. Medical articles state that PTSD symptoms reappear even 50 years later. I can attest they are still with me 65 years later.

These ignorant wretches have never been through an artillery or mortar barrage, machine gunfire or anything worse than a food fight.

For an Infantryman, his first Medal of Valor is The Combat Infantry Badge (CIB). We wear it proudly on top of all other decorations. There is a catch! One must survive 30 days of combat.

Many didn’t survive 30 minutes and about 300 thousand of us wearing a C.I.B of 1,000,000 Infantrymen died in WWII. All the rest of the services had another 100 thousand. The Marines had about 40 thousand dead. The flying Air Force had most of the rest.

About 30% of the Infantry ended up with PTSD. Which was called “Shell Shock” or “Battle Fatigue”, which it is not. See these articles on Salem-News.com which you can always see the latest by selecting the "PTSD" key word at the bottom of stories like this one.

One of the biggest surprises from PTSD SISSIES was the name Audie Murphy. Most people don’t know who I am talking about but almost every Infantryman or soldier knows HE WAS THE MOST DECORATED SOLDIER OF WWII.

Audie Murphy was an almost unbelievable HERO of WWII. He came from a dirt poor Texas family and joined the Army when he was 16 years old.

He was 5 foot 5 inches and weighed 110 pounds. His basic training Captain wanted to make him a cook. When he scored the highest score on the rifle range they took notice and let him be a real soldier.

He was sent as a replacement to the Third Division in Africa, then to Sicily, to Italy and France. He was absolutely fearless in battle. (I would say psychotic).

His outstanding bravery and marksmanship soon got him medals and promotions. He went from Private to First Lieutenant Company Commander in less than two years.

His medals for Valor are outstanding: Two Bronze Stars, Two Silver Stars, Distinguished Service Cross, Legion of Merit, Three Purple Hearts and finally the Congressional Medal of Honor, any one of these could be posthumous. He was also given five medals by the French and one by the Belgians. In all he received 33 medals, which is almost all the U.S. Government can bestow.

You should be awed about the above paragraph. Here is the kicker, through all of this Hell of battle Audie Murphy ended up as a “PTSD SISSIE”.

He couldn’t sleep well, had depression (?), terrible nightmares, was addicted to sleeping pills and alcohol. Just like most of us.

About 300 thousand of us battle veterans have PTSD and most of us are poorly treated. About 52% of us have become alcoholics. We found it better although sometimes more lethal than VA medications.

Do you have a a question, comment, or story to share with Dr. Leveque?
Email him: Ask Dr. Leveque

More information on the history of Dr. Leveque can be found in his book, General Patton's Dogface Soldier of WWII about his own experiences "from a foxhole".
Order the book by mail by following this link: Dogface Soldier

Watch for more streaming video question and answer segments about medical marijuana with Bonnie King and Dr. Phil Leveque.

Click on this link for other articles and video segments about PTSD and medical marijuana on Salem-News.com:
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Dave January 3, 2010 9:38 pm (Pacific time)

I am the sponsor of a Petition drive to bestow upon Audie Murphy the Nation’s highest civilian honor, the U.S. Presidential Medal of Freedom, in recognition of his lifetime contributions and achievements to the Nation as a soldier, best-selling author, actor, songwriter, poet and Patriot. To view and sign the Petition to President Obama, go to this link: http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/Audie-Murphy-Presidential-Medal-of-Freedom-Award Thank-you! Dave

AVet December 24, 2009 2:39 am (Pacific time)

Audie Murphy was very clear and specific about how his war experience had affected him and he did this with the intent of working toward a positive solution for those with PTSD. Those of you who say we are dishonoring him or who call the Dr.'s website a hateblog are yourselves the problem and it is you who are doing dishonor to the USA and all those who have served. Perhaps we should be praying to the Almighty that you be struck down and you spend an eternity burning in the excruciating pain and horror of hell. But we paid attention when our parents dragged us to church and remembered that God commanded us to forgive so we will not wish upon you that which you do truly deserve.

ROSENBERG June 19, 2009 10:08 am (Pacific time)

It's quite unfortunate that the author of this article had to use such a wonderful man and iconic war hero to address such an important subject as PTSD. The writer wrote: "He couldn’t sleep well, had depression (?), terrible nightmares, was addicted to sleeping pills and alcohol. Just like most of us." And the editor wrote: "The pills that Audie Murphy took were chloronated alcohol in capsul form and that is where the alcohol connection comes in." I realize that this is an emotional matter for many out there but there is no reason to use this wonderful American as an example without clear evidence that what was referenced above is correct.

Solomon Bronstein June 18, 2009 10:29 am (Pacific time)

Hey Solomon, your future posts will be banned, have a nice day.

Solomon Bronstein June 17, 2009 9:51 am (Pacific time)

This article is extremely insulting to war hero Audie Murphy. I recall quite clearly when he was killed in a plane crash. This individual has nothing to do with the insulting description by the writer of this article. This website is no doubt a hate site that encourages violence against Jews and war veterans. It's my prayer that multiple Jewish and veterans organizations pursue civil action against this hate sight and you can explain yourself in a public deposition. May all of your current and future assets go to making the victims of your hate be made whole.

Editor: Sir, why do you possibly write such vile and incorrect things about our news group? We do more for veterans in the space of any given month than any other similar news group. I spent 24-hours over the weekend working on a report about the TCE comntamination at Camp Lejeune Marine base. I've gone into both war theaters to cover the Oregon Guard, 99% positive reports on our servicemembers, and Dr. Leveque fought in WWII and one day captured 26 Nazi officers with one other soldier. Also, you insulting jerk, Dr. Leveque's wife is a Holocaust survivor, how dare you say such things? You are not worthy of doing so. Audie Murphy did die in a plane crash, and the Doc didn't state otherwise in the article. Oh I get it, you think we're a "hate site' because we tell the truth about the savage murderous ways of the Israeli Army. Well, we have the power and capability of knowing right from wrong, and while we always talk about the Third Reich's atrocities against the Jewish people, we also have the guts to talk about how Israel treats its neighbors today. I hate racists, and I hate your comment. You do not have the position in life to insult either Dr. Leveque or myself.

John Bourdage June 17, 2009 6:36 am (Pacific time)

Great atory.
But you messed up on Audie Murphy. He wasn't a smoker, or a drinker and he definately wasn't a sissy!
Do some research first before including this great man in anymore articles.

Editor: Are you guys really not capable of understand that Dr. Leveque is not calling Audie Murphy a sissy? Leveque is a WWII combat vet, the same thing, and the article is about PTSD. I guess your brains are going on "tile" like an old pinball machine, unable to grasp his message. For that I can't help you. The pills that Audie Murphy took were chloronated alcohol in capsul form and that is where the alcohol connection comes in. Please remember that Dr. Leveue in addition to being a retired physician, is a professor of pharmacology and a forensic toxicologist. This article if anything, shows that Audie Murphy was a human being.

Betty June 13, 2009 6:31 pm (Pacific time)

Audie was never addicted to alcohol. He didn't drink at all. He didn't smoke either. He was 17 when he joined the Army, not 16. Read audiemurphy.com for accurate facts on Audie.

Another Joe June 13, 2009 4:32 pm (Pacific time)

I recall this movie and what a story this was. War is sad but heroes should always be recognized. Anyone who killed large numbers of Nazi's is A-OK in my world.

the devil June 13, 2009 3:28 pm (Pacific time)

Thanks for the great article doc, soldier Murphy was quite a guy.

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